I think there are indeed specifics at swimming that may play an important role - first of all the water creates a small (but nevertheless important) pressure difference between the air you inhale, and the external environment. Hence you train your muscles much more to act against the pressure. Then, when swimming you need to adjust your breathing rhythm to your strokes, meaning that you usually breathe with lower frequency than when exercising on air, and you have to compensate for it with a bigger amplitude, training again the breathing muscles, and expanding the volume.
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Increasing Lung Volume
- Thread starter freeflypony
- Start date
Thread Status: Hello
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Hi!
As a swimmer I can add that there is definately a huge difference between running and swimming fitness, I have always been very swimming fit, but am so tired and out of breath when running. This is of course also muscular, but my lungs are for sure trained for the interval breathing that swimming demands. I have also increased my lung capacity through stretching the muscles round the lungs/ribcage, but also the diaphragm. Packing training regularly is of course important for this increase in size to feel comfortable...
Hanli
As a swimmer I can add that there is definately a huge difference between running and swimming fitness, I have always been very swimming fit, but am so tired and out of breath when running. This is of course also muscular, but my lungs are for sure trained for the interval breathing that swimming demands. I have also increased my lung capacity through stretching the muscles round the lungs/ribcage, but also the diaphragm. Packing training regularly is of course important for this increase in size to feel comfortable...
Hanli
Just to throw in my opinion again. Lung volume can be increased, but I agree with the above post that there are better ways of getting longer dives. Stretching is a very important aspect of using your full lung volume. Personally, I'm not comfortable with a huge chest full of air, it puts too much pressure on me and my times drop. With less air, I actually get a better hold. This is because the discomfort prevents the relaxation that is necessary to slow down your pulse. So the stretching, diaphragm building, packing, and yes diving all contribute to increased volume and increased comfort which in the end work out to increased time. I would recommend you start with stretching and diving, then move up towards techniques like packing and diaphragm building. Obviously dive training is the best, because it is the most fun!! 